Alexander-Arnold’s position before the World Cup in jeopardy. Why did Southgate leave him out of the dress rehearsal against Germany?

Trent Alexander-Arnold is undoubtedly one of the best offensive backs in the world. But he has two problems. He struggles defensively and he has a lot of competition at right back in the England national team.

Last game before the World Cup in Qatar. Gareth Southgate tuned up the starting line-up against Germany and fielded the strongest line-up he thinks he can field in the dress rehearsal.

That’s why it caused a big fuss when Trent Alexander-Arnold didn’t even get a nomination for the game. The Liverpool winger has created an average of 2.7 chances per game this season, more than any other English central defender.

“We have a wide squad and we have four high quality right-backs,” Southgate told Channel 4. “At the moment Kieran Trippier is playing excellently and Reece James was one of the best Premier League players at the start of the season,” the England coach explained his choice.

“But Trent is a very good footballer and that is why we have selected him for our starting XI,” Southgate added.

He also has Kyle Walker at his disposal, but uses him more as a stopper in a 3-5-2 formation. I wish he had that kind of selection on the left side of defence.

However, for Alexander-Arnold, not being nominated for the dress rehearsal for the upcoming World Cup does not bode well. Southgate has made it clear to him that he is only fourth in the pecking order at the moment and if nothing major changes, he will not play in the championship or even go to Qatar at all.

Indeed, just like at EURO 2021, where Southgate did not nominate Alexander-Arnold and entrusted the right-back position to Walker and Trippier.

Since the start of 2020, Alexander-Arnold has only started 8 games out of the 35 that England have played.

Source: Channel 4, GOAL